My classroom is full of students who have powerful stories to tell.
I teach in a diverse, urban high school in Sacramento, California where many of my students are English language learners and more than half come from low-income households. Every day, I see students working to find their voice—navigating language, identity, and the pressures of the world around them.
But there are two major barriers standing in their way: constant distraction and limited access to the right tools.
Even when phones are kept in backpacks, they pull students’ attention away from reading, writing, and meaningful conversation. At the same time, many of my students—especially multilingual learners—need more than traditional writing to express themselves confidently.
I want to change that. I am working to create a classroom that is both focused and empowering—a space where students can truly engage with learning and feel safe sharing who they are.
With your support, I will bring in:
- A secure phone lock box to create a distraction-free environment
- A MacBook Air and iPad to expand my teaching and design inclusive, engaging lessons
- Podcasting equipment (microphones and headphones) so students can record, speak, and share their stories
These tools will transform how my students learn.
Students will create podcasts, record personal narratives, and give short “elevator pitches” about books they love. They will practice speaking, listening, and writing in ways that build confidence—especially for English language learners. But this is about more than skills. This is about voice.
In today’s world, many students do not always feel seen, safe, or heard—especially those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. My classroom will become a haven for storytelling, where students can share their identities, experiences, and perspectives. Because stories are not meant to stay silent.
They are meant to be told. They are meant to be heard. They are meant to be learned from. This project will also help launch a student-led literary magazine, giving students a real audience for their work and helping build a lasting culture of literacy on our campus.
Your support will help create:
- A focused, distraction-free classroom
- Equitable access to technology
- Opportunities for students to share their voices in multiple ways
- A safe space where every student feels valued
Every donation—no matter the size—brings us closer to a classroom where students don’t just learn… they are heard.
Organizer
